Island Expedition: Χίος (Strong’s G5508: Chios) – Ancient Aegean Maritime Gateway

Strong’s G5508: A prominent island in the Aegean Sea between Samos and Lesbos, known for its strategic maritime location and rich cultural heritage. Historically significant as a wealthy trading port and cultural center, Chios played a crucial role in ancient Mediterranean commerce and Paul’s missionary journeys.

U- Unveiling the Word

Χίος represents more than just a geographical location in the New Testament. This strategically positioned island in the Aegean Sea served as a crucial waypoint during Paul’s third missionary journey. As a prosperous trading hub known for its mastic gum production and maritime commerce, Chios epitomizes the interconnected nature of the early Christian mission. The island’s mention in Acts 20:15 highlights the deliberate path of Gospel advancement through established trade routes. Its significance extends beyond mere geography, representing the divine orchestration of Paul’s journey and the strategic spread of Christianity through major Mediterranean maritime centers.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: Χίος, Chios, /ˈkaɪ.ɒs/
• Detailed pronunciation: KHI-os (χ as in Scottish ‘loch’, ος as in ‘os’)
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun

Etymology:

• Derived from ancient Greek origins, possibly related to:
• χιών (chion) meaning “snow” due to its appearance
• Chios, mythological nymph of the island
• Pre-Greek origin relating to its Phoenician heritage

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary island in the Aegean Sea
• Major maritime trading center
• Cultural and commercial hub

For compound words: Not applicable as this is a proper noun

Translation Options:

• Chios – Most common English rendering
• Khos – Alternative transliteration
• Scio – Historical Latin-derived variant

E – Exploring Similar Words

• Σάμος (Samos) /ˈseɪ.mɒs/ – Neighboring island – See G4544
• Μιτυλήνη (Mitylene) /mɪtɪˈliːni/ – Nearby port city – See G3412
• Πάτμος (Patmos) /ˈpætmɒs/ – Another Aegean island – See G3963

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Nominative/Accusative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: Second

The word appears in different cases:

• Nominative: Χίος (subject)
• Genitive: Χίου (of Chios)
• Dative: Χίῳ (to/in Chios)
• Accusative: Χίον (to Chios)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Ancient lexicons consistently identify Χίος as one of the most prominent islands in the Aegean Sea. BDAG emphasizes its location between Samos and Lesbos, while Thayer’s highlights its significance in ancient maritime trade. LSJ provides extensive documentation of its cultural importance, noting its reputation for wine production and artistic heritage. Moulton and Milligan’s papyri evidence suggests frequent commercial interactions between Chios and major Mediterranean ports. The island’s strategic position made it a natural stopping point for ancient seafarers, including Paul’s missionary journey as recorded in Acts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“But we sailed from there and on the following day arrived off [Chios] [Χίος]; the next day we crossed over to Samos, and the day after that we came to Miletus.” Acts 20:15

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in Scripture.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Χίος stands as a testament to God’s sovereign plan in the spread of the Gospel. Its strategic position in the Aegean Sea made it an ideal waypoint for Paul’s missionary journeys, demonstrating how the Lord used established trade routes and commercial centers to advance His kingdom. The island’s single mention in Scripture, during Paul’s third missionary journey, highlights the intentional nature of early Christian expansion and reminds us that every location, whether prominently featured or briefly mentioned, plays a role in God’s redemptive narrative.

D – Did You Know?

• Chios was famous in antiquity for its school of Homer, claiming to be the birthplace of the great poet
• The island was one of the wealthiest Greek territories due to its monopoly on mastic gum production
• Ancient Chian coins often featured a sphinx, symbolizing the island’s mysterious origins and cultural significance

Strong’s G5508: A prominent island in the Aegean Sea between Samos and Lesbos, known for its strategic maritime location and rich cultural heritage. Historically significant as a wealthy trading port and cultural center, Chios played a crucial role in ancient Mediterranean commerce and Paul’s missionary journeys.

Part of speech: Proper Noun

Tags: geography, islands, Paul’s journeys, maritime trade, Mediterranean, missions, Acts, ancient commerce, apostolic travel, evangelism​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​